Can Cannabis Oil Benefit Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis Day is 24 March this week and many patients are wondering if cannabis oil can benefit rheumatoid arthritis. Cannabis oil it is a natural anti-inflammatory, and it is a natural pain killer. The two most important symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are exactly that: inflammation and pain. National Rheumatoid Arthritis Day is celebrated every year to provide support and information for sufferers. Before we go on, we need to know exactly what a) cannabis oil is and b) rheumatoid arthritis is.

What is Cannabis Oil?

Cannabis oil is a concentrated liquid derived from the cannabis plant to heal many conditions of ill-health. It can also maintain a healthy immune system. The main cannabinoids that interest us in cannabis are a) cannabidiol (CBD) and b) tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – because both of these chemical compounds have innate healing abilities. CBD is mostly used in medical cannabis oil and is mostly legal. THC is the psychoactive part of cannabis which is mostly illegal and therefore used a lot on the black market and to make people feel euphoric or high. But THC is also a fantastic health therapy and is known to heal diseases of the body and mind. If blended with CBD, the pyschoactive qualities of the THC are mitigated and the compound can heal conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

How Does CBD Work to Heal Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Take CBD oil as a topical when you rub it on your skin and it goes to the joints where the pain is. Or take the oil in a tincture, under your tongue, for immediate effect. Cannabis oil capsules are very easy, convenient ways to take cannabis oil, predosed and carried in an organic coconut oil for easy digestion. There are also cannabis oil suppositories, vape oils and edibles. The Arthritis Foundation promotes a fantastic cannabis cream to be used on aching joints and muscles – Panacea Ultra Strength Pain Relief Balm is a blend of organic coconut oil, cannabis oil, hemp oil and shea butter. Added to this are the essential oils of peppermint, lavender, rosemary and eucalyptus, combined especially to heal and soothe the pain.

The human endocannabinoid system is there to maintain the healthy balance in the body that affects the immune system, metabolism, moods, temperature and more. Cannabinoid receptors spread throughout the body are part of intricate physiological and mental conditions. CB1 receptors are found mostly in the brain while CB2 receptors are found mostly in the immune system. Studies have found that cannabinoids from cannabis are therapeutic when consumed as they cling to these receptors to aid to the body to process inflammation and pain.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The Arthritis Foundation says that it is “a systemic form of inflammatory arthritis affecting one’s general health as well as a variety of one’s joints. There are very specific criteria for its diagnosis. Modifying treatment is becoming more and more effective. If left untreated the disease could affect any anatomical part of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common of the auto-immune arthritis diseases, found in about 1 in 100 people worldwide.” [https://www.arthritis.org.za/Treatments/ ]

Getting rheumatoid arthritis can be devastating as it can be debilitating and extremely painful. Some medications have terrible side effects and patients can become addicted to these pharmaceuticals. Taking cannabis oil to benefit the disease is a natural way to deal with the pain and it has no side effects. In South Africa alone, some 1.5 million people have rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms include extreme fatigue, stiff joints in the morning, losing weight, nausea, fevers and increasing immobility. The inflammation can move to other parts of the body including the eyes, gums, lungs, heart, liver and kidneys. Taking control early on is therefore vital and we recommend cannabis to benefit your rheumatoid arthritis.